Operation Sagar Bandhu: India Airlifts Relief To Sri Lanka As Cyclone Ditwah Triggers Mass Deaths, Blackouts

Last Updated:November 29, 2025, 12:36 IST

India sends 27 tonnes of relief and over 80 NDRF personnel to Sri Lanka under Operation Sagar Bandhu after Cyclone Ditwah caused widespread devastation.

India sends 27 tonnes of relief and over 80 NDRF personnel to Sri Lanka under Operation Sagar Bandhu after Cyclone Ditwah caused widespread devastation. (Image X)

The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Saturday airlifted 21 tonnes of relief material, along with over 80 NDRF personnel and eight tonnes of equipment, to Sri Lanka as the island nation reels under devastating floods caused by Cyclone Ditwah. The deployment is part of Operation Sagar Bandhu, launched by India to support its neighbour during the crisis.

“In the wake of the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah across Sri Lanka, India swiftly launched Operation Sagar Bandhu to bolster relief efforts," the IAF said in a post on social media.

Two aircraft, a C-130 and an IL-76, took off from Hindon Air Base late Friday night, carrying 21 tonnes of essential rations, sanitary supplies, and emergency equipment. A C-130 landed at Colombo’s Bandaranaike Airport around 1:30 am, where it was received by officials from the Indian High Commission and the Sri Lanka Air Force.

The IAF said the assistance reaffirms India’s commitment to the Neighbourhood First policy, adding, “India stands firmly with Sri Lanka in this hour of need."

This latest airlift follows the first tranche of relief material sent on Friday, transported by the Indian Navy’s INS Vikrant and INS Udaigiri, marking the beginning of Operation Sagar Bandhu.

Sri Lanka’s Disaster Management Centre (DMC) reported 123 deaths and 130 people missing as of Saturday morning, following widespread floods and landslides across the island. More than 200,000 people, spread across 61,000 families, have been affected.

Local officials warn the toll may rise significantly. In Kandy district alone, authorities reported more than 50 deaths by late Friday, while Badulla another severely hit region has reported over 35 deaths and numerous people missing.

Cyclone Ditwah has triggered overflows across major rivers and reservoirs, forcing authorities to issue urgent evacuation warnings. The island is witnessing one of its worst natural disasters in years, with heavy rainfall expected to continue. The meteorological department forecasts more than 200 mm of additional rain, even though the cyclone may move away from Sri Lanka by late Saturday.

Nearly 35% of Sri Lanka is without electricity, with around 7 million customers of the Ceylon Electricity Board affected since early Friday. Restoration efforts have been slowed due to relentless rain, flooding, and blocked access roads.

As the humanitarian crisis deepens, India’s rapid relief response is expected to play a crucial role in supporting ongoing rescue and recovery operations.

-With inputs from PTI

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